Rangers likely to start Lee on three days rest

Posted on: September 27, 2010 7:35 pm

The Rangers are giving strong credence to the possibility Cliff Lee starts on three days rest in the postseason for the first time in his career.

Lee will draw the ball in Game 1 against the wild card team, currently slated to be the New York Yankees. Texas is considering having Lee come back in a potential Game 4 should the best-of-five series stretch that far.

"I think we've got to wait and see how that goes," manager Ron Washington told the Dallas-Ft. Worth Star-Telegram . "If we have a chance to put this away and we feel good about Cliff going again, we'll do that. If we don't, then we'll do what we have to do."

Lee is getting additional rest leading up to what may be a marathon postseason for him. His next start on Thursday will come on six days rest, and will then have five days off before Game 1.C.J. Wilson will Monday night and Saturday, giving him regular rest for the ALDS. Colby Lewis will wrap the season up on Sunday and make the away start in Game 3 of the ALDS on a day's rest.

The No. 4 starter, Tommy Hunter, is not slated to get a start for the rest of the regular season, fueling speculation he will go to the bullpen and the Rangers will have a three-man rotation for the ALDS. Scott Feldman, Rich Harden and Derek Holland will follow Wilson in the rotation. All three could possibly end up in the bullpen for the ALDS roster.

Frank Franciscio, a reliever currently shelved, will throw bullpen sessions Tuesday and Thursday. If he can't get ready for the playoffs, an extra slot will open up for one of the starters.

"There's a lot of ifs and buts," Lee said. "We've got to win a few games before we get to that point. I'm more focused on the first game. I'm not looking two starts away at what might happen."

-- Evan Brunell

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